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Workplace Conflict topic of March Lunch ‘n Learn

“Workplace Conflict: It’s a Good Thing” will be the topic for the March 27 Lunch ‘n Learn series.

The bi-monthly “Food for Thought” event is sponsored by the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce, Business Development Center, and the Osage Nation Attorney General’s office.

Cindy Helmer, PDBC Coordinator noted, “Food for Thought is an energetic lunch ‘n learn series that is designed to provide a meaningful networking environment along with professional development. A free lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. and the program will begin at noon. We are excited that two of our best motivational speakers, Tonya Foreman and Tara Gotwalt, will be conducting the program.”

Workplace Conflict: It’s a Good Thing quenches the belief held by many business leaders that success is harmonious and creatively friction free.

“All organizations have conflict,” said Foreman. “Conflict isn’t just natural — it’s productive. That productivity happens only when people know how to handle it well.”

Gotwalt added, “The cost of unresolved conflict is immense! Experts estimate the cash costs at billions of dollars, and health care professionals say it is a major source of stress, burnout, harassment, and sabotage.

“The big problem with conflict isn’t the conflict itself but the fear and anger it invokes when left unresolved. Most people are afraid to wade into an argument because they don’t feel confident they will be able to manage it, and they’re afraid they’ll become embroiled in something they can’t control and are unlikely to win. The solution to that, of course, isn’t to keep avoiding the problems. It’s to train people how to deal with conflict effectively, calmly, and fairly. Yet only about a third of managers have any training in coping with conflict of any kind.”

“They will share solutions that can easily be implemented in a work environment.”

To RSVP or for more information, contact Cindy Helmer at chelmer@tctc.org or 918-287-3357.